AH-1E or AH-1S ECAS (Enhanced Cobra Armament System) was a modification of the American AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter developed in 1978. The variant received a new three-barreled 20 mm M197 cannon in the nose turret, as well as other improvements, constituting Step 2 of the AH-1 upgrade program. A total of 98 helicopters of this modification were built, 2 of which were sent to Japan for evaluation trials in the late 1970s as part of considerations for the formation of an attack helicopter branch in the JGSDF. After positive results, an agreement was reached on the licensed production of Step 3 Cobras, becoming the AH-1S.

It was introduced in Update "Starfighters". As an earlier Cobra model, it doesn't come with TOW-2s or thermal NVD imaging unlike its later variant the AH-1S / AH-1S Kisarazu. It is more like a flying ATGM carrier than an independent helicopter that can snipe from afar. The TOW missiles are powerful, but they can only reach 3.75 km, which is shorter than the range of the AA systems that the Cobra will encounter. The best way to play the AH-1 is to support the ground team and jet aircraft, and let them handle the SPAA/SAM, planes, and other helicopters.

* If the team fails to claim aerial supremacy, the helicopter crew should fly low and hide behind buildings or terrain, fire a missile at a target and then move away, and repeat this tactic.

* If the skies are clear, the helicopter crew can fly higher and see more of the battlefield, fire missiles at ground targets, and provide information to the team before returning to the helipad for more missiles.